Singapore general election on September 11

Singapore, August 25: Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam on Tuesday directed that a general election shall be held on September 11 to elect the island city-state’s 13th parliament and a new government for the next five years, media reported. The Polling Day was announced after the president, on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, dissolved Singapore’s 12th Parliament earlier in the day, Channel News Asia reported. Nomition Day for the upcoming general election is on September 1, the country’s election commission reported.

“I call this general election to seek your mandate to take Singapore beyond SG50 (Singapore 50) into its next half century,” Prime Minister Lee posted on Facebook, shortly after the Writ was issued.

“You will be deciding who will govern Singapore for the next five years. More than that, you will be choosing the team to work with you for the next 15-20 years, and setting the direction for Singapore for the next 50 years.” In the last general election, parliament was dissolved on April 19, 2011. Singapore has a total of 89 seats in 29 constituencies - comprising 13 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) and 16 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), the country’s election commission reported. (IANS)